Before embarking on my first university-funded programme in Korea and Japan, I was nervous yet excited for what’s to come. There was alot of planning and anticipation to the trip. I was looking forward to South Korea as it was the number one country I’ve always wanted to visit since I was a kid. The whole programme itself was short and sweet.
My first international trip to the University of Auckland was a transformative experience that opened my eyes to new cultures and their way of living. The memories made during this trip will forever be etched on my mind, and I am very grateful for this opportunity to not only go to South Korea and Japan, but meet lifelong friends. The programme included cultural immersion, such as eating traditional cuisine, visiting historical sites, wearing traditional clothing and speaking Korean with locals. Engaging with locals allowed me to understand their perspective and values, in return they would give bright smiles and warm welcomes which slowly shifted my perspective on preconceived notions. I came to Korea and Japan believing that locals would not be as accepting to foreigners. However, I was wrong. I realized that no matter how diverse our background is, we are all connected through one type of language…a smile. Locals would smile at our group and we would respond with a smile. Just that small moment changes everything and thats when I realised that the warm human connection and shared joy of laughter brings us all together. Travelling without family did push me out of my comfort zone which encouraged me to embrace the unfamiliarity of the place. Navigating public transportation and asking for directions were some of the challenges that I struggled with. Some locals do not understand English, which made it almost impossible to translate. Luckily we had a translator on our phone to help decipher their message to us. Visiting historical places and roaming on the streets gave me a deep sense of appreciation of creativity and innovation. The programme was structured well for 2 weeks and the accommodation was a 10/10. This trip was very special to me as it was a journey that altered my perspective and shaped who I am.
Were you satisfied with the cross-cultural experiences that this programme provided?
The cross-cultural experience allowed me to immerse in two different cultures, Korean and Japanese. It was an amazing experience to understand the similarities and differences of both countries. In Korea, pop culture such as K-pop, television and fashion is widespread in the country. We got to engage in various activities to get a taste of each concept, which was fun and educational. HiKR ground was a memorable activity as it gave us a glimpse of what its like to be a kpop idol. They had music video locations, stages and costumes for us to dive into. Definitely a memorable experience! In Japan, their pop culture included anime, video games and traditional scenery. In Osaka, we got to experience a tea ceremony that is very traditional in Japanese culture. Lastly, anime is everywhere in Japan. It portrays the values of Japan. Overall, the cross-cultural experience was transformative and enjoyable.
What skills do you think this experience helped you gain, and how so? How might this differ from the experience you could otherwise gain in New Zealand?
This trip has helped me develop my resilience skills. Navigating in Korea and Japan was difficult since the signs were in a different language and that there were many more train lines compared to New Zealand. There were moments when our group would become frustrated with navigating but I took it as an opportunity to utilize what I know into practise such as map reading since I have travelled to various countries and asking locals for directions in Korean. I would not stop looking for a destination until we arrived. When our group would reconsider, I would step up and take charge to take us there even when I have no idea how to get there. Not quitting and finding ways to get to our destination made me realise that I was becoming resilient.
Did you encounter any challenges during the programme that may be helpful for future students to be more prepared?
In Tokyo, we walked everywhere. I don’t think I’ve walked that much in my life. It did make my legs swollen. But maybe if I was warned that we’d be walking a lot more in Tokyo, I would’ve been more prepared. Second, the breakfast at the Tokyo hotel was not very good. It did not taste like breakfast, it was an unusual taste that everyone did not like.
You rated this programme as one you would Highly Recommend to a friend. What makes you say so?
If you want a transformative experience and shift in perspective about the world, this programme is definitely worth trying out!
